There’s a pull to return to Istanbul, once seen. The Grand Bazaar, with its 3,000 shops, sells so many things and is so busy, it makes the head spin. But there are great bargains in leather coats, rugs, kitchen supplies -- and a good shopper will return to fight. Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey

Queen Mary 2’s trans-Atlantic voyages from New York to Southampton, England sets the bar high for veteran shoppers. If you can’t find it in New York, they’ll have it in London, and vice versa. Shore excursion desks are happy to direct passengers
to a stores selling specific types of items. Cunard

London is sometimes referred to as leading style and design in Europe, and prices reflect that lofty stature. But there’s no place more fun to shop, even if dresses on display at Harrods are marked with prices that belong in new car lots. Anne Chalfant

Shoes and textiles can be good buys; Britain has produced both for centuries. HAVVA Mustafa is a designer shoe produced by the daughter of several generations of shoemakers, following British tradition of turning out high-quality shoes. VisitBritain

London has many markets, but the Portobello Market is most famous for its location in Notting Hill. It sells pricey antiques at one end, but as one moves along, stalls are selling fruits and vegetables; fashionable clothing and eventually second-hand items. Anne Chalfant

Many Asia cruises spend two nights in Hong Kong at one end or another of the cruise. It’s an enjoyable city, and shopping for electronics sometimes turns up good bargains. But not everything is a good deal, so research is important. Princess Cruises

Vietnam is on river-ship itineraries sailing the Mekong, and is also visited by some cruise lines. The shopper’s dream-come-true in Vietnam is when a seamstress runs from her house to ask if she can make you a silk dress for $10. Uniworld River Cruises

Shopping European Christmas markets in Germany, Austria and Belgium is a treat for shoppers who get that sweet whiff of fresh baked goods. Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and Viking River Cruises sail to Christmas markets. Avalon Waterways

Some of the best Christmas markets are in Germany, in cities such as Nuremburg.
Christmas markets in cities on rivers gets visits from river cruise ships, including
Uniworld vessels. Uniworld River Cruises

A river cruise that departs Amsterdam, or a flight connection made at Schiphol airport, is a shopping opportunity. Certified tulip bulbs, surprisingly inexpensive, are guaranteed to be the talk of the town come spring. Anne Chalfant

MSC is an Italian-owned cruise line that many Americans sail in Europe to
have the more authentic experience of being with Europeans. The Profumeria on MSC is larger than many perfume shops on shore; the passenger with browsing time can sample scents and discover new favorites. MSC Cruises

While on a shopping jag, might as well take on the biggest of them all if either embarkation or debarkation are at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Sawgrass Mills is the largest outlet mall in the U.S. with more than 400 shops. Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

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Shoes and textiles can be good buys; Britain has produced both for centuries. HAVVA Mustafa is a designer shoe produced by the daughter of several generations of shoemakers, following British tradition of turning out high-quality shoes.(Photo: VisitBritain)

Cruise ships are a shopper's best friend, sailing to ports where traditional crafts are made and sold, and visiting the fashion centers of the U.S. and Europe.

For the best cruise-'n'-shop sails, start here.

Drop crumbs

Most cruise ships spend two nights in port at Istanbul, Turkey. The Grand Bazaar holds people captive in its maze of more than 3,000 shops in a forest of corridors. Look for nice leather jackets, knock-offs of everything, rugs, painted ceramic tiles and freshly ground spices.

Haggling is encouraged, but be friendly. The Turkish people see jockeying for a price as exchanging pleasantries.

Atlantic sandwich

A trans-Atlantic cruise on the Queen Mary 2 is a veritable shopper's sandwich. Shop New York's legendary stores on one side of the Atlantic. Gloat over purchases at sea. Then pull out your brolly (umbrella) and shop London. Yes, it's expensive, but it's a design capital of Europe. Plus, Britain produces high-quality textiles and shoes, with reasonable prices.

China cruises dock for two days in Hong Kong, where a little research scores bargains on some electronics. Hong Kong tailors can also whip you up a beautifully crafted suit, reasonably priced and possibly delivered before the ship sails. Shanghai is China's most complete shopping city, with multi-level stores and knock-offs in alleyways. Holland America is expanding its China and Asia itineraries; Princess, Celebrity and others are expanding Asia routes.

In Vietnam, the goods find the shopper: Vietnamese seamstresses dash from their homes, offering to sew a shirt or a dress. Fabric is often silk or raw silk. Speed of production is extraordinary. Some travelers bring favorite fabrics and patterns and get a 15-piece wardrobe stitched for $500.

That gluhwein glow

Christmas Market river cruises in Europe sail in Germany and Austria, and to Prague and Budapest. An Old World Christmas is in the air with brightly lit stalls selling handcrafted decorations. Shoppers sip gluhwein (mulled wine) and nibble local gingerbread or Lebkuchen. Viking River Cruises and Avalon Waterways sail the Christmas Market trail.

Don't forget flowers

It's good fortune if a trip requires a plane change at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, or perhaps you're deplaning in Amsterdam to embark on Viking's Rhine River cruise. Large bags of certified tulip bulbs are sold for a pittance right at the airport. These are no ordinary tulips--they're little Dutch powerhouses on steroids. Buy some for mom, too.

Stock the cellar

Spend a day or two in wine country prior to an Alaska cruise that embarks Seattle or Vancouver, B.C. Both areas have prestigious wine regions. Or sail a Pacific coastal wine cruise. Celebrity Cruises stocks its Pacific Coast wine cruises with sommeliers and brings vintners aboard for lectures. With all those helpers, it won't be difficult to pick some favorites during winery visits and ship cases home.

Shop your ship

Cruise lines have expanded onboard shopping. Boutiques feature jewelry, perfume and designer goodies that call your name loudly after the tenth stroll past. One thing to know: there is no tax at sea. Buying a luxury item actually may cost less than at home.

Stock up

Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades is the port of embarkation or debarkation port for many cruises.

This could cause shopper meltdown, with the largest outlet mall in the country 16 miles from the port. Sawgrass Mills has 400 retailers including Giorgio Armani, Tommy Bahama, Kate Spade. Shuttle services to and from hotels. The mall's complementary "Bags to Go" whisks purchases to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood or Miami International Airport.

For calmer moments, visit Weston Town Center for boutiques and dining, or stroll Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, poking around art galleries and small shops. But you can't stop shopping, not yet. Florida Swap Shop is the largest indoor-outdoor flea market in the U.S., with 2,000 vendors, located 8.4 miles from Port Everglades.